Four Month Wellness Check

So we went to the pediatrician for the 4 month wellness check and a round of shots and it wasn't a great visit. Usually the twins are awesome at Dr visits, especially their pediatrician. She's amazing. (She reminds me of Mrs. Doubtfire with her accent!). 

River weighed in at 11lbs 3oz and is 22 1/4 inches long! That's 7 1/4 longer since birth! Riley is quickly catching up to her brother at 10lbs 12oz (she gained 11 ounces this week!). She is 21 1/2 inches, a whopping 8 inches longer since birth!

But this time the twins were not happy from the moment we got in there. They were both crying the whole time! The doctor is very pleased (and amazed) at their growth and they are moving right along as they should. Unfortunately, Riv needs to see a few specialists. What was originally thought to be Tracheal Malacia (premature trachea development that corrects itself in time) might not be after all. So the fact that it's gotten worse (he snores and makes loud noises when he breathes) is a bit worrisome since we don't know what it is. He has always had a bit of a snore, but it has just gotten worse over time. Especially this last month. He snorts and gags and has raspy breathing constantly. And it's not from his nose, it's definitely an obstruction in his throat. Last month the pediatrician told us to bring it up the the pulmonary specialist that we see for their RSV shots. So I did, and played him a video and he pretty much dismissed it as Trachea Malacia; that it should go away when he lays on his stomach and that he'll grow out of it. Well it actually doesn't go away in ANY position we put him in and just in this past week or so it seems to be effecting his eating. He's always wheezed a bit when drinking his bottle but lately he's puked a lot and I definitely don't like that. Poor little guy. Our pediatrician also noticed it's gotten a lot worse and when I showed her the video of him sleeping (he's very noisy) she was really concerned. Said if it was Trachea Malacia it should go away in different positions and when sleeping. So she tried to call to get us an appt with a pediatric ENT right away but they close early Fridays. When I called Monday the earliest appt we could get is this Thurs 3/27, which is the soonest they can see us. My pediatrician spoke with the specialist we'll be seeing and gave him the rundown on Riv's condition and the Dr prescribed liquid zofran to help him throw up less. It's not that he's doing it ALL the time, but definitely more than he should.

Then he also has a little bit of Torticollis (twisted neck) where he favors turning his head to one side and needs to start physical therapy to correct it. So... Poor Riv had a tough day. Riley had a clean bill of health though so at least that's good news!

Since the twins are still waking up in the middle of the night to eat but barely drinking anything, the Dr said we can start giving them a little bit of rice cereal in their bottles once a day at night to help them sleep better. So I picked up some organic stuff at Whole Foods and started it a few days ago. I think it's a little rough on Riv's tummy (he seems to be the most sensitive between the twins). He woke up SIX times in one night crying, which he never does, so I cut it back a little more and only put half the recommended amount in and he did a little better. He's also been a bit constipated recently so the Dr said to give him an ounce of water twice a day so hopefully that will help. She said we can try to give it to them using a spoon to get them used to it, so we do a few sips like that but since they only take a drop at a time it would take forever if they took a whole bottle's worth that way! Here's a few pics from Riv's first time eating with a spoon!

In a month we can start letting them taste solid foods (mashed sweet potato, banana, avocado etc) so I'm really looking forward to that! 

That about wraps it up! I'll keep you posted...

Wiped Out

Yesterday was hard. And I know with being the mom of twins there are going to be some challenging days, but that doesn't mean they don't knock you on your ass when they happen. The babies were in rare form from the moment they woke up in the morning until the tail end of the night, upset all day unless they were being held. And not just held, but being walked around! My cousin (who is the closest thing I have to a little sister) is here visiting on her spring break to help out and it STILL was a hellacious day even though I had an extra set of arms. 

We brought them outside in the morning for a while to get some fresh air and change of scenery, but then it started raining. For the rest of the day. So my plans to take them for a walk and an outside cafe for lunch somewhere went down the drain. We were stuck in the house and tried to find ways to entertain the babies all day, but they just weren't having it. It seemed nothing made them happy and the last thing they wanted to do was take any sort of nap. I realized it was almost 1pm, which was when a developmental specialist was coming over to screen River. (It's through a federally funded program called Early Steps where they work with preemies until the age of 3 to make sure they hit their developmental milestones on time. It's a free service and Riley qualified because of her size at birth, River was 30 grams over the cut off so she was coming to screen him to see if he qualifies for services). We still hadn't eaten yet so we popped something in the oven but then the lady arrived and I forgot to set the timer and our little gluten free vegan pizzas turned into hockey pucks. (Although they were somewhat close to that already!)

We brought them outside in the morning for a while to get some fresh air and change of scenery, but then it started raining. For the rest of the day. So my plans to take them for a walk and an outside cafe for lunch somewhere went down the drain. We were stuck in the house and tried to find ways to entertain the babies all day, but they just weren't having it. It seemed nothing made them happy and the last thing they wanted to do was take any sort of nap. I realized it was almost 1pm, which was when a developmental specialist was coming over to screen River. (It's through a federally funded program called Early Steps where they work with preemies until the age of 3 to make sure they hit their developmental milestones on time. It's a free service and Riley qualified because of her size at birth, River was 30 grams over the cut off so she was coming to screen him to see if he qualifies for services). We still hadn't eaten yet so we popped something in the oven but then the lady arrived and I forgot to set the timer and our little gluten free vegan pizzas turned into hockey pucks. (Although they were somewhat close to that already!)

The screener was here for two hours (I'll save the details for another post) and by then it was after 3. I needed some things in order to make dinner so we packed up the twins and headed to Whole Foods. It was their first outing there! It was before the after-work crowd so I wasn't too worried about germs, especially since we always keep them in their stroller whenever we go anywhere. We grabbed the ingredients for dinner and headed home.

We got home around the same time my hubby did and the second we walked in the door the twins were back at it again. My cousin fed them while I made dinner. And made bottles. And cleaned the kitchen. All week the babies were on this weird eating schedule where they've  wanted to eat all day long but not much at a time and today was no different. They both ate about 2 ounces each, which wasn't much, but were pushing the bottles out of their mouths with their tongues by the end so it's not like we can force them. Dinner was done and I was famished having only eaten a green smoothie that day. (Wasn't that I didn't eat on purpose, just no time!) just as I set it on the table Riley started screaming bloody murder. G swooped in and picked her up but she got louder and louder. He did the finger check (we stick our knuckle in their mouths and if they suck we know they are hungry) and sure enough she was ravenous. This was only an hour after she ate! So G rushed to warm a bottle for her and fed her some more. I was breaking a sweat at this point from being so hungry and stressed out about the babies. Cooking, cleaning, feeding, rushing along with babygirl screaming it took all I had not to cry. I think I do a pretty good job of keeping things together even when the going gets tough, but for some reason (perhaps low blood sugar) I felt like it caught up with me. But I got the bottles done and we finally finished feeding Riley. By this time it was 930, but we were finally able to start eating. Which was of course interrupted by River getting upset. So I shoveled a few bites in and tended to him. 

Before I knew it, it was 11pm. Riv was hungry but Riley had passed out. I figured I could top them both off and feed them a little but she was in a coma. I tried to wake her but she was dead to the world. So I fed River and we put them to bed. We read them their nightly story and by that time we had no energy left. The night was over and it was time for us to go to bed too. Nights like that are tough because we get virtually no time together to unwind, which can add up over time. But we were exhausted and trying to watch TV would only end with one or both of us falling asleep sitting up on the couch, as that has been happening most nights these days. So we called it a night and went to bed. 

Then something I've dreaded happened. Riley woke up hungry and Riv was still sleeping. I was afraid that would happen with not being able to wake her for last feeding. So I changed/fed her and got her back to bed. Then at 3:30 Riv woke up hungry. Fed/changed him. But when Riley woke up at 5:30 I was at my breaking point. I desperately had to sleep. I don't nap during the day (no time anyway!) so the few hours I get at night is the only way I can recharge to get on this nonstop merry-go-round each day and still be sane by the end of them! I whimpered and told G I just couldn't do it again and he got up to do it, the saint he is. That at least gave me a couple hours there. And then it was back up to start a new day.

While it may not sound like a rough day- I'm not claiming it was the worst day ever- it was just physically and emotionally draining. It's hard to hear your babies so upset all day long. I become the dancing monkey trying every which way to make them happy, running all over the house getting things they need at lightening speed. And when I don't get any down time at the end of the day, time to regroup and connect with the hubs, and then no sleep on top of that- it makes for an exhausting day with no way to recharge. But... Even on the most challenging days, I still wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

First Play Date

A few months ago I created a New Mommy group for all the friends I have that were due to have a baby around the same time. Strangely enough I know a handful of girls, all from different facets in my life, that were pregnant right along with me. Since the twins came two months early, they are officially the oldest yet actually the smallest of the group! 

We all live in Central FL and have been chatting daily in a private FB group I made for us, sharing tips and tricks and asking questions. It's been a great network of support! So I put together our first official meet-up at my house for all the moms to meet each other in person (although a few had already met when we were all pregnant at my baby shower back in October). While in a way it was a play date for the babies, this one was really more about getting the moms out of the house and talking to other adults (especially those who can relate the most!) in order to keep our sanity.

Well it was a huge success! We have about 10 ladies in our group and 6 were able to make it. So with the twins that was 7 babies! You'd think it would be pure chaos but it honestly wasn't. It was pretty fantastic! We made a web of activity mats on the floor and rotated which babies were next to each other and it was so much fun to watch them interact. Granted it wasn't like they "played" with each other or could have a conversation (I just had a vision of them suddenly talking in sophisticated voices... "Hey Riley, love the dress! Could you pass me my paci, please?" LOL). But they definitely looked at each other and swatted their arms in one another's faces. My friend's baby (Isaiah) and  River hit it off and were holding hands at one point! Then Isaiah was sucking on Riv's fingers and neither of them seemed to mind it! 

We had food and music and talked about baby stuff. Gave tips and tricks and support to each other, it was really a great time. Every once in a while one of the babies would sound off but for the most part they all seemed content. I think it was all the excitement of being around other babies and being in a new environment. We will definitely be doing it again, as it was a major stress reliever for all the mommies and an adventure for the little ones!

Say Cheese!

I have to say it's been the most amazing thing seeing the twins smile. It seems I can get them to do it quite frequently now and it gives me such a warm and fuzzy feeling. Especially in the morning when I first interact with each of them. They look at me all bright-eyed and flash a genuine smile of recognition, happy to see Mommy. It melts my heart.

With River, if I smile big and talk to him in a sweet animated voice (and he's in focus mode) he will flash me the biggest grin it makes my face hurt from smiling so much! He opens his mouth wide in such a way that he  just oozes joy.

Riley is similar only she smiles at objects a lot more than her brother. When she's happy it definitely shows in her face as it lights up!

Since it's just the me and the twins most days of the week, I talk to them  all day long. I know talking to them is crucial to their development and their pediatrician actually said it directly affects their brains, as it causes an increase in production of the fatty tissue needed for brain development. So we talk to them constantly. Since for me that is pretty much from the time they wake up in the mornings until they go to bed at night, I won't lie, I'm pretty exhausted by the end of the day. It reminds me of my teaching days only it's a never-ending work day. Lately, when either of them is at their peak alertness during the day, they have been responding when I talk to them with coos and other various sounds. I talk about all kinds of things with them (most of the time I probably sound crazy since they don't understand me) but ever since they were born I have also had a few key words and phrases I say to them in hopes that someday they'll be able to understand. One thing I say frequently is "I love you." I probably tell them a gazillion times a day. Recently River has been babbling back at me and I swear sometimes it's like he's trying to say it back! (Yes, I know it's a little far fetched but either way he's definitely trying to communicate in his own way!).

River Talking to Mommy

Riley also does her own thing that Riv doesn't. It just started this week. When she gets excited about something she lets out this little gaspy squeal. It seems like a primitive form of a giggle and it makes me smile from ear to ear!

Riley's Little Squeal

They are both growing and changing in different ways, which shows just how unique they are even though they were created and developed in the womb simultaneously. Says a lot about how much our DNA plays a role in our personalities! Can't wait to see how they grow and change over the next months and years!

Happy 4 Months!

The twins are four months old today!! (Corrected Age: 2 months)

River is a whopping 10lbs 7oz and Riley is catching up at 9lbs 5oz! 

Little babies with HUGE personalities!!

The Twins' First Outing

Today we took the babies on their first real outing (besides doctor offices). Since it's still cold/flu season in Florida we are extremely cautious and protective being the twins have a premature immune system. The pediatrician said if they get sick they'll definitely wind up in the hospital so we're taking extra precautions to make sure that doesn't happen. That being said, she did give us the green light to take the babies to other people's houses (barring no one is sick) and outside, as long as it's not crowded. So we rather than the usual stroll around the neighborhood we decided to take them downtown to Lake Eola, a place where you can walk around a big lake in the center of Orlando.

Going out with two babies is no easy feat. There's a mile long check list of what needs to be packed for "just in case" scenarios. Diapers, wipes, creams, outfit changes, blankets, bottles, formula,  2 pacifiers, and a paaaartriiidge in a pear treeee. After multiple attempts to make it out the door by noon, at around 1:45 we finally got it together enough to leave. Our first stop was to have lunch on the patio of Panera, as long as it wasn't packed. As luck would have it there wasn't many people and we got a good spot. G watched them as I went in to order and as soon as we sat down River started his shenanigans. He was crying so I picked him up and ate lunch with one hand. (I'm getting pretty good at doing things one-handed!) 

After we ate, the babies were getting hungry so we went back to the car to feed and change them. As we were changing their diapers on a portable pad in the back of the SUV with the hatch open I realized we were now "those" people. The ones we always used to see carting around crying babies, changing diapers in public. And I'm totally okay with that, it's just such a big shift in lifestyle. But a good one of course.

We walked over to Lake Eola and scoped out the scene. There were a lot of people walking around and a farmers market on the outskirts so we were a little leery of getting too close. We didn't want any gross people hocking up their germs in the twins' air space, so we walked the perimeter of the path around the lake on the sidewalk instead. Same great view, a lot less people. I probably sound like a crazy germaphobe! I just want to at least try to prevent them from getting sick while they are still little.

It was a nice day out, but a tad on the warm side and before long I was stripping River's pants off, as he started to cry from being sweaty. He seems to be just like his mama in that regard, doesn't like the heat! We quickened our pace and completed the loop around the lake before heading back to the car. While it wasn't the perfect outing, it was nice to be out of the house as a family...